Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service. According to embodiments, a method for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service is provided. According to the method a first mobile cellular device is selected. An instruction is transmitted to the first mobile cellular device instructing the first mobile cellular device. The instruction causes the first mobile cellular device to relay communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider. The first mobile cellular device thereby provides the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to the field of quality of service.More specifically, the disclosure provided herein relates to the fieldof cellular-related quality of service.

BACKGROUND

Cellular-related quality of service (“QoS”) issues are a significantsource of frustration for service providers as well as their customers.Common QoS issues include bandwidth limitations, jitter, delay andlatency, packet loss, and interference. QoS issues may result in anumber of problems for customers, potentially causing customers tochange service providers. In one example, a customer may experience a“dropped call,” in which a phone call unexpectedly ends. In anotherexample, a customer may experience a slow data transfer rate that is notsuitable for transferring high-bandwidth content, such as video andmusic. In yet another example, a customer may experience unacceptablequality of service, causing customer dissatisfaction ranging fromannoyance to anger.

Metropolitan areas are commonly populated with skyscrapers and otherlarge buildings and objects. These skyscrapers, when located between acellular device and a cellular tower, may block the signal between thecellular device and the cellular tower and cause multi-path reflections.The result is that QoS may suffer because communication between thecellular device and the cellular tower may be partly or entirely lost.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure presented herein include methods, systems,and computer-readable media for utilizing a repeating function toimprove quality of service. According to one aspect, a method forutilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service between acellular service provider and a second mobile cellular device isprovided. According to the method, a first mobile cellular device isselected. An instruction is transmitted to the first mobile cellulardevice instructing the first mobile cellular device. The instructioncauses the first mobile cellular device to relay communications betweenthe second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider. Thefirst mobile cellular device thereby provides the repeating function forthe second mobile cellular device. According to exemplary embodiments,this may include directing the device which will provide the repeatingfunction to switch operating modes in order to accomplish the repeatingfunction, for example to switch from a normal cellular device operatingmode to a cellular repeater mode or a mixed mode.

According to another aspect, a system for utilizing a repeating functionto improve quality of service between a cellular service provider and asecond mobile cellular device is provided. The system includes a memoryand a processor functionally coupled to the memory. The memory stores aprogram containing code for utilizing the repeater. The processor isresponsive to computer-executable instructions contained in the programand operative to select a first mobile cellular device, and transmit aninstruction to the first mobile cellular device. The instruction causesthe first mobile cellular device to relay communications between thesecond mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider. Thefirst mobile cellular device thereby provides the repeating function forthe second mobile cellular device.

According to yet another aspect, a computer-readable medium havinginstructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform amethod for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of servicebetween a cellular service provider and a second mobile cellular deviceis provided. According to the method, a first mobile cellular device isselected. An instruction is transmitted to the first mobile cellulardevice instructing the first mobile cellular device. The instructioncauses the first mobile cellular device to relay communications betweenthe second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider. Thefirst mobile cellular device thereby provides the repeating function forthe second mobile cellular device.

Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according toembodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponreview of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computerprogram products be included within this description, be within thescope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanyingclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a high-level diagram illustrating an exemplary repeaterconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configured to select andutilize a repeater to improve quality of service (“QoS”), in accordancewith exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for selecting andutilizing a repeater to improve QoS, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to methods, systems, andcomputer-readable media for utilizing a repeater to improve quality ofservice (QoS). In the following detailed description, references aremade to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which areshown by way of illustration through specific embodiments or examples.

Skyscrapers and other large buildings and objects may fully or partiallyblock a signal between a cellular device and a cellular tower. It may benoted that these skyscrapers are typically in metropolitan areas thatmay be occupied by large numbers of users of cellular devices. Thus, forany given user who is blocked by a skyscraper, it may be presumed thatthe given user may be surrounded, within a relatively short distance, byother users who are not blocked by a skyscraper or other obstacle. It isunder this notion that embodiments described herein provide forselecting and utilizing one or more nearby cellular devices to serve asa repeater.

Referring now to the drawings, it is to be understood that like numeralsrepresent like elements through the several figures, and that not allcomponents and/or steps described and illustrated with reference to thefigures are required for all embodiments. FIG. 1 is a high-level diagramillustrating an exemplary repeater configuration 100. The configuration100 includes a first cellular device 102, a second cellular device 104,and a third cellular device 106. Examples of the cellular devices 102,104, 106 may include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), and other suitable devicescapable of communicating via a cellular network. As illustrated in FIG.1, an obstruction 108, such as a building, blocks a first link 110between the first cellular device 102 and a cellular tower 112. Inparticular, the obstruction 108 may affect the QoS of communicationsbetween the first cellular device 102 and the cellular tower 112. Thesecond cellular device 104 and the third cellular device 106 haveunobstructed or less-obstructed access to the cellular tower 112 asindicated by a second link 114 and a third link 116, respectively.

Because the second cellular device 104 and the third cellular device 106have unobstructed access to the cellular tower 112, the second cellulardevice 104 and the third cellular device 106 may be considered asrepeater candidates for the first cellular device 102, according toexemplary embodiments. As used herein, a repeater candidate refers to acellular device that may serve as a repeater, which is essentially aproxy or conduit to the cellular tower 112. As the name suggests and asused herein, the repeater “repeats” a signal received from a source andforwards the signal to a destination. In one example, the first cellulardevice 102 may communicate with the cellular tower 112, and vice versa,by utilizing the second cellular device 104 as a repeater. In this case,instead of using the broken or partially impaired first link 110 totransmit a signal, the first cellular device 102 transmits the signal tothe second cellular device 104 via a first repeater link 118. Inresponse to receiving the signal, the second cellular device 104retransmits the signal to the cellular tower 112 via the second link114. The cellular tower 112 then communicates back to the first cellulardevice 102 using the reverse process, i.e., via first the second link114 and then the first repeater link 118. In another example, the firstcellular device 102 may communicate with the cellular tower 112, andvice versa, by utilizing the third cellular device 106 as a repeater. Inthis case, the first cellular device 102 transmits the signal to thethird cellular device 106 via a second repeater link 120. In response toreceiving the signal, the third cellular device 106 retransmits thesignal to the cellular tower 112 via the third link 116. The cellulartower 112 then communicates back to the first cellular device 102 usingthe reverse process, i.e., via first the third link 116 and then thesecond repeater link 120.

By functioning as a repeater, the second cellular device 104 or thethird cellular device 106 may enable the first cellular device 102 tocommunicate with the cellular tower 112 even though the conventionallink (i.e., the first link 110) between the first cellular device 102and the cellular tower 112 is broken or partially impaired. In a firstembodiment, the second cellular device 104 or the third cellular device106 may individually serve as a repeater. In a second embodiment, thesecond cellular device 104 and the third cellular device 106 may beutilized in conjunction to serve as a repeater. For example, the secondcellular device 104 and the third cellular device 106 may each receivehalf or any other proportion of the signal from the first cellulardevice 102 and retransmit their respective proportion of the signal tothe cellular tower 112. In this case, the cellular tower 112 or a system200 may reassemble the two proportions of the signal received from thesecond cellular device 104 and third cellular device 106. In a thirdembodiment, the second cellular device 104 and/or the third cellulardevice 106 may be utilized to transmit only a part of the signal for thefirst cellular device 102. For example, the first cellular device 102may be able to transmit a part of the signal to the cellular tower 112via the first link 110. However, the first link 110 may be in such acondition (e.g., partially blocked by the obstruction 108) thatutilizing the second cellular device 104 and/or the third cellulardevice 106 as a repeater may increase QoS. In this case, the cellulartower 112 or the system 200 may reassemble the portions of the signalreceived from the first cellular device 102 and at least one of thesecond cellular device 104 and the third cellular device 106. It shouldbe appreciated that the use of two repeaters in FIG. 1 is exemplary andmerely illustrative. In particular, any suitable number of repeaters maybe used to enable the first cellular device 102 to communicate with thecellular tower 112.

In the second and third embodiments described above, by splitting theload between one or more of the first cellular device 102, the secondcellular device 104, and the third cellular device 106, any potentialdrawbacks from relying on only one cellular device may be diminished.These potential drawbacks may include, but are not limited to, unfairreliance or excessive battery depletion on either the second cellulardevice 104 or the third cellular device 106. Further, it is important tonote that the second cellular device 104 and the third cellular device106 are primary devices for their respective users, according toexemplary embodiments. That is, the second cellular device 104 and thethird cellular device 106 do not simply serve as “dumb” repeaters or forthe exclusive benefit of the first cellular device 102 by enabling thefirst cellular device 102 to communicate with the cellular tower 112. Assuch, the usage of the second cellular device 104 and the third cellulardevice 106 as a repeater should not noticeably impact their usualoperations and services for their respective users. It should beappreciated, however, that in some cases, such noticeable impact mightbe allowed, but likely with the recognition that users of the secondcellular device 104 and the third cellular device 106 could be adverselyaffected and might become dissatisfied.

The cellular tower 112 is operatively connected to the system 200 via anetwork 218. According to exemplary embodiments, the system 200 includesa repeater control module 216. The system 200 and the repeater controlmodule 216 are described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 2and 3. It should be appreciated that the repeater control module 216 isshown included within the system 200 only as an illustrative example. Infurther embodiments, the repeater control module 216 may be included inthe first cellular device 102, the second cellular device 104, the thirdcellular device 106, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 2 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief,general description of a suitable computing environment in whichembodiments may be implemented. While embodiments will be described inthe general context of program modules that execute in conjunction withan application program that runs on an operating system on a computersystem, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments mayalso be implemented in combination with other program modules.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasksor implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced with othercomputer system configurations, including hand-held devices,multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Theembodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotememory storage devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the system 200 configured toselect and utilize a repeater to improve QoS, in accordance withexemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term utilize may include, butis limited to, the operations of configuring, adapting, modifying, andchanging operating modes and parameters. The system 200 includes aprocessing unit 202, a memory 204, one or more user interface devices206, one or more input/output (“I/O”) devices 208, and one or morenetwork devices 210, each of which is operatively connected to a systembus 212. The bus 212 enables bi-directional communication between theprocessing unit 202, the memory 204, the user interface devices 206, theI/O devices 208, and the network devices 210. Examples of the system 200include, but are not limited to, computers, servers, personal digitalassistants, cellular phones, or any suitable computing devices.

The processing unit 202 may be a standard central processor thatperforms arithmetic and logical operations, a more specific purposeprogrammable logic controller (“PLC”), a programmable gate array, orother type of processor known to those skilled in the art and suitablefor controlling the operation of the server computer. Processing unitsare well-known in the art, and therefore not described in further detailherein.

The memory 204 communicates with the processing unit 202 via the systembus 212. In one embodiment, the memory 204 is operatively connected to amemory controller (not shown) that enables communication with theprocessing unit 202 via the system bus 212. The memory 204 includes anoperating system 214 and the repeater control module 216, according toexemplary embodiments. Examples of operating systems, such as theoperating system 214, include, but are not limited to, WINDOWS andWINDOWS MOBILE operating systems from MICROSOFT CORPORATION, MAC OSoperating system from APPLE CORPORATION, LINUX operating system, SYMBIANOS from SYMBIAN SOFTWARE LIMITED, BREW from QUALCOMM INCORPORATED, andFREEBSD operating system. In one embodiment, the repeater control module216 is embodied in computer-readable media containing instructions that,when executed by the processing unit 202, performs a method forselecting and utilizing a repeater to improve QoS, as described ingreater detail below with respect to FIG. 3. According to furtherembodiments, the repeater control module 216 may be embodied inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.

By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media maycomprise computer storage media and communication media. Computerstorage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but isnot limited to, RAM, ROM, Erasable Programmable ROM (“EPROM”),Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (“EEPROM”), flash memory or othersolid state memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”),or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to store the desired information and which can beaccessed by the system 200.

The user interface devices 206 may include one or more devices withwhich a user accesses the system 200. The user interface devices 206 mayinclude, but are not limited to, computers, servers, personal digitalassistants, cellular phones, or any suitable computing devices. The I/Odevices 208 enable a user to interface with the repeater control module216. In one embodiment, the I/O devices 208 are operatively connected toan I/O controller (not shown) that enables communication with theprocessing unit 202 via the system bus 212. The I/O devices 208 mayinclude one or more input devices, such as, but not limited to, akeyboard, a mouse, or an electronic stylus. Further, the I/O devices 208may include one or more output devices, such as, but not limited to, adisplay screen or a printer.

The network devices 210 enable the system 200 to communicate with othernetworks or remote systems via a network, such as the network 218.Examples of network devices 210 may include, but are not limited to, amodem, a radio frequency (“RF”) or infrared (“IR”) transceiver, atelephonic interface, a bridge, a router, or a network card. The network218 may include a wireless network such as, but not limited to, aWireless Local Area Network (“WLAN”) such as a WI-FI network, a WirelessWide Area Network (“WWAN”), a Wireless Personal Area Network (“WPAN”)such as BLUETOOTH, a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (“WMAN”) such aWiMAX network, or a cellular network. Alternatively, the network 218 maybe a wired network such as, but not limited to, a Wide Area Network(“WAN”) such as the Internet, a Local Area Network (“LAN”) such as theEthernet, a wired Personal Area Network (“PAN”), or a wired MetropolitanArea Network (“MAN”).

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 for selecting andutilizing a repeater to improve QoS, in accordance with exemplaryembodiments. According to the method 300, the repeater control module216 determines (at 302) an insufficient signal between the firstcellular device 102 and a cellular tower, such as the cellular tower112. The insufficient signal may be determined based on qualitydegradation or even a complete loss of the signal or connection betweenthe first cellular device 102 and the cellular tower 112. Qualitydegradation may include degradation based on bandwidth, signal power,signal-to-noise ratio, jitter, latency and delay, data loss,interference, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, theinsufficient signal is caused by an obstruction, such as the obstruction108, that affects the signal between the first cellular device 102 andthe cellular tower 112.

The repeater control module 216 ranks (at 306) the plurality of repeatercandidates 104, 106 based on one or more repeater candidate criteria. Inone embodiment, the repeater candidate criteria include measuredfactors, such as distance and signal strength. In one example, themeasured factors may include the distance between the first cellulardevice 102, the repeater candidates 104, 106, and the cellular tower112. As illustrated in Figure 1, the distance from the first cellulardevice 102 to the second cellular device 104 to the cellular tower 112is less than the distance from the first cellular device 102 to thethird cellular device 106 to the cellular tower 112. Since the distancewith respect to the second cellular device 104 is shorter than thedistance with respect to the third cellular device 106, the secondcellular device 104 may be ranked higher than the third cellular device106. As is known to those skilled in the art, distances may relate tothe expected quality or “goodness” of the associated communicationslinks. As a result, shorter distances may rank higher due to betterexpected communications quality. Alternatively or additionally, theexpected quality or “goodness” of communications links can be explicitlymeasured, as for example by measuring received signal levels and/orsignal-to-noise ratio of transmitted signals that may include specialtest or carrier signals. In another example, the measured factors mayinclude the location geometry with respect to the first cellular device102, the repeater candidates 104, 106, the obstruction 108, and thecellular tower 112. The location geometry may be based, for example, ona geometric analysis of the connections between the first cellulardevice and the repeater candidates 104, 106, as well as the connectionsbetween the repeater candidates 104, 106 and the cellular tower 112,each with respect to the obstruction 108. The geometric analysis may bebased on location information provided by a global positional system(“GPS”) device associated with the devices 102, 104, and 106. Thegeometric analysis may also be based on location information determinedbased on triangulation or any other method of determining the locationof each of the devices 102, 104, 106, as well as the location of thecellular tower 112. Other measured factors may include signal strengthand signal-to-noise ratio. In further embodiments, the repeatercandidate criteria include non-measured factors, such as policy rules.In one embodiment, the policy rules include rules in a service contractassociated with each of the repeater candidates 104, 106 and/or thefirst cellular device 102. For example, the service contract may specifylimitations with respect to the second cellular device 104 and the thirdcellular device 106 serving as a repeater. It should be understood bythose skilled in the art that any type and number of parameters may beused by the repeater control module 216 to rank the repeater candidates104, 106.

The repeater control module 216 ranks (at 306) the plurality of repeatercandidates 104, 106 based on one or more repeater candidate criteria. Inone embodiment, the repeater candidate criteria include measuredfactors, such as distance and signal strength. In one example, themeasured factors may include the distance between the first cellulardevice 102, the repeater candidates 104, 106, and the cellular tower112. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the distance from the first cellulardevice 102 to the second cellular device 104 to the cellular tower 112is less than the distance from the first cellular device 102 to thethird cellular device 106 to the cellular tower 112. Since the distancewith respect to the second cellular device 104 is shorter than thedistance with respect to the third cellular device 106, the secondcellular device 104 may be ranked higher than the third cellular device106. As is known to those skilled in the art, distances may relate tothe expected quality or “goodness” of the associated communicationslinks. As a result, shorter distances may rank higher due to betterexpected communications quality. Alternatively or additionally, theexpected quality or “goodness” of communications links can be explicitlymeasured, as for example by measuring received signal levels and/orsignal-to-noise ratio of transmitted signals that may include specialtest or carrier signals. In another example, the measured factors mayinclude the location geometry with respect to the first cellular device102, the repeater candidates 104, 106, the obstruction 108, and thecellular tower 112. The location geometry may be based, for example, ona geometric analysis of the connections between the first cellulardevice and the repeater candidates 104, 106, as well as the connectionsbetween the repeater candidates 104, 106 and the cellular tower 112,each with respect to the obstruction 108. The geometric analysis may bebased on location information provided by a global positional system(“GPS”) device associated with the devices 102, 104, and 106. Thegeometric analysis may also be based on location information determinedbased on triangulation or any other method of determining the locationof each of the devices 102, 104, 106, as well as the location of thecellular tower 112. Other measured factors may include signal strengthand signal-to-noise ratio. In further embodiments, the repeatercandidate criteria include non-measured factors, such as policy rules.In one embodiment, the policy rules include rules in a service contractassociated with each of the repeater candidates 104, 106 and/or thefirst cellular device 102. For example, the service contract may specifylimitations with respect to the second cellular device 104 and the thirdcellular device 106 serving as a repeater. It should be understood bythose skilled in the art that any type and number of parameters may beused by the repeater control module 216 to rank the repeater candidates104, 106.

The repeater control module 216 selects (at 308) the second cellulardevice 104 from the plurality of repeater candidates 104, 106 to serveas a repeater for the first cellular device 102. For example, therepeater control module 216 may select the second cellular device 104because the second cellular device 104 is higher ranked than the thirdcellular device 106. The repeater control module 216 transmits (at 310)an instruction to the second cellular device 104 to begin providing arepeating function for the first cellular device 102. The instructionmay include information identifying the first cellular device 102 to thesecond device 104. In one embodiment, the repeating function refers tothe second cellular device 104 receiving a signal from the firstcellular device 102 and retransmitting the signal to the cellular tower112, and vice versa, for communications from the cellular tower 112 tothe first cellular device 102. The first cellular device 102 and thesecond cellular device 104 may initiate communications via a suitablehandshaking protocol and a suitable authentication protocol. In oneembodiment, the repeater control module 216 transmits (at 312) aninstruction to the first cellular device 102 to transmit at least partof the signal to the second cellular device 104. In a furtherembodiment, the second cellular device 104 may instruct the firstcellular device 102 during the handshake and authentication protocols totransmit at least part of the signal to second cellular device 104. Therepeater control module 216 monitors (at 314) the repeating functionprovided by the second cellular device 104 to measure the improvement,if any, resulting from the second cellular device 104 serving as arepeater. The improvement may be determined based on increased data rateand other suitable QoS-related factors such as one or more of reducedjitter, reduced delay and latency, reduced data loss, and the like.

In one embodiment, two or more repeater candidates 104, 106 may beselected and utilized in conjunction to provide the repeating function.By utilizing multiple repeater candidates 104, 106 in conjunction, thepotential for excessive battery consumption and unfair reliance on eachrepeater candidate 104, 106 may be reduced. For example, frequencymultiplexing or time slotting may be used to allocate a given amount ofresources of each repeater candidate 104, 106 so as to spread therepeating activity between them in order to provide the repeatingfunction.

The repeater control module 216 determines (at 316) whether theimprovement is satisfactory and if all the repeater candidates 104, 106are exhausted. The improvement may initially be satisfactory, but maybecome unsatisfactory if, for example, a degradation in the signaltransmitted from the second cellular device 104 to the cellular tower112 or a degradation in the signal transmitted between the firstcellular device 102, and the second cellular device 104 is detected orpolicy rules (e.g., the service contract) associated with the firstcellular device 102 and/or the second cellular device 104 are violated.The degradation in the signal may be detected by the system 200, thefirst cellular device 102, or the second cellular device 104. Signaldegradation may occur for any number of reasons including, but notlimited to, changes in the noise environment as well as changes in thedistances associated with the communications links caused by themovement of users. If, for example, the first cellular device 102detects the degradation in the signal, the first cellular device 102 maynotify the repeater control module 216 of the degradation and/or requesttermination of the repeating function. If, for example, the secondcellular device 104 detects the degradation in the signal, the secondcellular device 104 may notify the repeater control module 216 of thedegradation, request termination of the repeating function, and/orself-terminate due to the degradation.

Further, the improvement may become unsatisfactory if the charge of thebattery on the second cellular device 104 drops to a critical level orif the second cellular device 104 no longer has an unobstructed orsufficiently less-obstructed second link 114 to the cellular tower 112.In response to determining that the improvement is not satisfactory andthat the repeater candidates are not exhausted, the repeater controlmodule 216 selects (at 308) the next repeater candidate from the rankedplurality of repeater candidates 104, 106. For example, the repeatercontrol module 216 may select the third cellular device 106. Theoperations 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 may be repeated until asatisfactory improvement is determined or until all the repeatercandidates are exhausted.

In response to determining that the improvement is satisfactory, therepeater control module 216 determines (at 318) whether to terminate therepeating function. The repeating function may be terminated if thefirst cellular device 102 no longer needs the repeating function or ifthe repeating function can no longer provide a satisfactory improvement.In one embodiment, the first cellular device 102 transmits an indicationto the repeater control module 216 that the second cellular device 104is no longer needed to provide the repeating function. In a furtherembodiment, the repeater control module 216 analyzes suitable metrics todetermine whether the repeating function is beneficial. If the repeatercontrol module 216 determines not to terminate the repeating function,the repeater control module 216 returns to operation 314 and continuesutilizing the second cellular device 104 as the repeater for the firstcellular device 102. If the repeater control module 216 determines toterminate the repeating function, the repeater control module 216transmits (at 320) a signal to the second cellular device 104 todeactivate the repeating function. The repeater control module 216 mayalso transmit a signal to the first cellular device 102 that the secondcellular device 104 is deactivating the repeating function. The secondcellular device 104 may also self-terminate due to hardship fromproviding the repeating function.

Although the subject matter presented herein has been described inconjunction with one or more particular embodiments and implementations,it is to be understood that the embodiments defined in the appendedclaims are not necessarily limited to the specific structure,configuration, or functionality described herein. Rather, the specificstructure, configuration, and functionality are disclosed as exampleforms of implementing the claims.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications andchanges may be made to the subject matter described herein withoutfollowing the example embodiments and applications illustrated anddescribed, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of theembodiments, which is set forth in the following claims.

1. A method for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality ofservice between a cellular service provider and a second mobile cellulardevice, comprising: identifying an insufficient signal between thesecond cellular device and a base station coupled to the second cellulardevice; determining a plurality of repeater candidates configured toresolve the insufficient signal by relaying communications between thesecond mobile cellular and the base station; ranking the plurality ofrepeater candidates by a plurality of ranks according to a distance ofthe repeater candidates to the base station and a signal strength ofeach of the plurality of repeater candidates, each of the plurality ofrepeater candidates associated with one of the plurality of ranks;selecting a first mobile cellular device in the plurality of repeatercandidates having a highest rank in the plurality of ranks as a repeaterbetween the second cellular device and the base station; transmitting,from the base station coupled to the first mobile cellular device andthe second mobile cellular device, a first instruction to the firstmobile cellular device, the first instruction causing the first mobilecellular device to relay communications between the second mobilecellular device and the cellular service provider the first mobilecellular device thereby providing the repeating function for the secondmobile cellular device; upon transmitting, from the base station, thefirst instruction to the first mobile cellular device, measuring animprovement to the insufficient signal between the second cellulardevice and the base station; determining whether the improvement to theinsufficient signal is unsatisfactory; in response to determining thatthe improvement to the insufficient signal is unsatisfactory, selectinga third mobile cellular device in the plurality of repeater candidateshaving a second highest ranking in the plurality of ranks as therepeater between the second cellular device and the base station; and inresponse to determining that the improvement to the insufficient signalis satisfactory, transmitting, from the base station, a secondinstruction to the first mobile cellular device, the second instructioncausing the first mobile cellular device to stop relaying communicationsbetween the second mobile cellular device and the cellular serviceprovider, the first mobile cellular device thereby terminating therepeating function for the second mobile cellular device.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the repeating function comprises: receiving at leasta portion of a signal from the second mobile cellular device; andretransmitting the at least a portion of the signal to the base station.3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: transmitting a thirdinstruction to the second mobile cellular device, the third instructionnotifying the second mobile cellular device to transmit the signal tothe first mobile cellular device.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: initializing a handshake protocol between the first mobilecellular device and the second mobile cellular device.
 5. A system forutilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service between acellular service provider and a second mobile cellular device,comprising: a memory for storing a program containing code for utilizinga repeater; a processor functionally coupled to the memory, theprocessor being responsive to computer-executable instructions containedin the program and operative to: identify an insufficient signal betweenthe second cellular device and a base station coupled to the secondcellular device, determine a plurality of repeater candidates configuredto resolve the insufficient signal by relaying communications betweenthe second mobile cellular and the base station, rank the plurality ofrepeater candidates by a plurality of ranks according to a distance ofeach of the plurality of repeater candidates to the base station and asignal strength of each of the plurality of repeater candidates, each ofthe plurality of repeater candidates associated with one of theplurality of ranks, select a first mobile cellular device in theplurality of repeater candidates having a highest rank in the pluralityof ranks as a repeater between the second cellular device and the basestation, transmit a first instruction to the first mobile cellulardevice, the first instruction causing the first mobile cellular deviceto relay communications between the second mobile cellular device andthe cellular service provider, the first mobile cellular device therebyproviding the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device,upon transmitting the first instruction to the first mobile cellulardevice measure an improvement to the insufficient signal between thesecond cellular device and the base station, determine whether theimprovement to the insufficient signal is unsatisfactory, in response todetermining that the improvement to the insufficient signal isunsatisfactory select a third mobile cellular device in the plurality ofrepeater candidates having a second highest ranking in the plurality ofranks as the repeater between the second cellular device and the basestation, and in response to determining that the improvement to theinsufficient signal is satisfactory, transmit, from the base station, asecond instruction to the first mobile cellular device, the secondinstruction causing the first mobile cellular device to stop relayingcommunications between the second mobile cellular device and thecellular service provider, the first mobile cellular device therebyterminating the repeating function for the second mobile cellulardevice.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein to provide the repeatingfunction, the first mobile cellular device receives at least a portionof a signal from the second mobile cellular device, and retransmits theat least a portion of the signal to the base station.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, the processor being further operative to: transmit a thirdinstruction to the second mobile cellular device, the third instructionnotifying the second mobile cellular device to transmit the signal tothe first mobile cellular device.
 8. A non-transitory computer readablemedium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processorto provide a method for utilizing a repeating function to improvequality of service between a cellular service provider and a secondmobile cellular device, the method comprising: identifying aninsufficient signal between the second cellular device and a basestation coupled to the second cellular device; determining a pluralityof repeater candidates configured to resolve the insufficient signal byrelaying communication between the second mobile cellular and the basestation; ranking the plurality of repeater candidates by a plurality ofranks according to a distance of each of the plurality of repeatercandidates to the base station and a signal strength of each of theplurality of repeater candidates, each of the plurality of repeatercandidates associated with one of the plurality of ranks; selecting afirst mobile cellular device in the plurality of repeater candidateshaving a highest rank in the plurality of ranks as a repeater betweenthe second cellular device and the base station; transmitting, from thebase station coupled to the first mobile cellular device and the secondmobile cellular device, a first instruction to the first mobile cellulardevice, the first instruction causing the first mobile cellular deviceto relay communications between the second mobile cellular device andthe cellular service provider, the first mobile cellular device therebyproviding the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device;upon transmitting, from the base station, the first instruction to thefirst mobile cellular device, measuring an improvement to theinsufficient signal between the second cellular device and the basestation; determining whether the improvement to the insufficient signalis unsatisfactory; in response to determining that the improvement tothe insufficient signal is unsatisfactory, selecting a third mobilecellular device in the plurality of repeater candidates having a secondhighest ranking in the plurality of ranks as the repeater between thesecond cellular device and the base station; and in response todetermining that the improvement to the insufficient signal issatisfactory, transmitting, from the base station, a second instructionto the first mobile cellular device, the second instruction causing thefirst mobile cellular device to stop relaying communications between thesecond mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider, thefirst mobile cellular device thereby terminating the repeating functionfor the second mobile cellular device.
 9. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 8, wherein the repeating function comprises:receiving at least a portion of a signal from the second mobile cellulardevice; and retransmitting the at least a portion of the signal to thebase station.
 10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim9, the method further comprising: transmitting a third instruction tothe second mobile cellular device, the third instruction notifying thesecond mobile cellular device to transmit the signal to the first mobilecellular device.
 11. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 8, the method further comprising: initializing a handshakeprotocol between the first mobile cellular device and the mobilecellular device.